Cooperative Housing Strategy for Manitoba

The cooperative housing model offers opportunities for communities to work together towards common goals. Cooperative housing can serve to strengthen the housing environment through a shared responsibility approach that offers a unique model. The cooperative model offers a number of distinct advantages including increased control relative to a conventional rental arrangement, an affordable housing option, tax advantages, the right as a member to remain living in the cooperative, and community building opportunities.

The Cooperative Housing Strategy for Manitoba (PDF) will guide the activities of government, the cooperative sector, and other stakeholders helping to foster a supportive environment for housing cooperatives, promote a better understanding about the model, and support increased capacity within the sector. The strategy vision is to advance a variety of cooperative housing models as viable options for individuals and families choosing to “live cooperatively”. This vision is broadly supported by three strategic goals:

Manitobans and communities looking for housing options need a stronger understanding of what a cooperative is and what the varieties within the model are. Further to this, housing co-ops need to acquire stronger differentiation from non-profit and public housing providers in order to develop a stronger presence within the housing spectrum.

Because member control is a central feature of cooperative housing, ongoing capacity building that supports aspects such as good governance, management, and leadership renewal practices are key elements for success.